Dosing device for an infusion system and method thereof

ABSTRACT

A dosing device for an infusion system comprises a dosing unit having a variable volume and at least one opening in fluid connection with the variable volume, through which opening the variable volume can be filled with a substance or the substance can be dispensed from the variable volume. The dosing device is operable in a first state for filling the substance from a supply conduit, in a second state for preventing filling and dispensing, or in a third state for dispensing through a dispensing conduit. No direct fluid connection exists between the supply conduit and the dispensing conduit at any time. Methods for dosing a substance with the dosing device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is filed under 35 U.S.C. §111(a) as a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/097,880, filed Apr. 29, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,277,423 which is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/559,851, filed Sep. 15, 2009, which is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/EP2008/001516, with an international filing date of Feb. 26, 2008, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to European Patent Application No. 07104240.2, filed Mar. 15, 2007.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The described embodiments relate to a dosing and conveying device and in particular to a device for dosing a substance to be dispensed.

BACKGROUND

CH 688 224 A5 discloses an implantable device for dispensing pharmaceutical fluids in the human or animal body in doses, wherein the implantable unit comprises: a cam-controlled, valve-less axial piston pump comprising a piston which can be rotary-driven and axially displaced; a fluid reservoir which is connected to the suction side of the pump; and a rotary drive which is connected to the piston and can be controlled, wherein a suction opening and a pressure opening are each arranged on a lower end of a cylinder, and the two openings lie diametrically opposite each other and run in the same axis.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,010,485 discloses a working cylinder having a similar design to that in CH 688 224 A5.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,749,587 B2 discloses a modular infusion apparatus comprising a measuring portion which can directly control the fluid flow between a reservoir and a cannula. If the reservoir is kept at ambient pressure, the measuring portion can comprise a peristaltic mechanism, a displacement pump or other pump device.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,643,723 discloses a device for administering insulin to a patient, wherein a piston is arranged in a pump chamber, a cannula is connected to the pump chamber, and a piston rod is connected to the piston. When the piston is retracted, the reservoir is connected to the pump chamber in order to fill up the pump chamber, and when the piston is moved forwards, the passage from the reservoir to the pump chamber is closed by means of a valve, such that the substance can be administered via a cannula.

WO 93/04714 and the corresponding EP 0 600 948 B1 disclose a fluid measuring element for an implantable administering system which is coupled between a pressurized fluid source and an outlet opening, in order to provide discrete flow pulses at a predetermined rate.

US 2004/0069044 A1 discloses a device for measuring a volume of a drug. The device comprises a first chamber which contains the fluid drug, a measuring chamber which is in fluid connection with the first chamber, and a measuring array.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,207,666 discloses a fluid measuring apparatus for implantable drug administering systems, which can be arranged between a pressurized fluid source and an outlet opening, in order to provide discrete flow pulses at a predetermined rate.

US 2005/0159708 A1 discloses an infusion pump for administering a fluid in doses, wherein a piston is permanently pressurized by means of a spring and acts on a drug container which dispenses the substance through a dispensing opening towards a control valve, in order to dose it.

EP 1 633 417 B1 discloses a dispensing apparatus comprising a storage chamber and an injection chamber which are coupled via a fluid connection and in each of which plungers are arranged.

There remains a need for a dosing device for an infusion system that enables a substance to be dosed precisely and dispensed simply.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of a dosing device for an infusion system comprise a dosing unit having a variable volume. The variable volume may comprise, for example, a cylinder comprising a piston that moves in the cylinder to cause an increase or decrease of the volume of the cylinder. The dosing device comprises at least one supplying/dispensing port. In some embodiments, the supplying/dispensing port may be a single port, such as a single opening, and the single opening may be disposed, for example, on the cylinder, on a part of the port, or on a sleeve. In some embodiments, the single port may remain closed except during supply and dispensing operations. Through the supplying/dispensing opening, the variable volume of the dosing unit can be filled with the substance to be dispensed. The substance may be dispensed, for example, from a storage container such as for example an ampoule, when the volume of the dosing unit is increased. When the variable volume of the filled dosing unit is decreased again, the substance which is to be dispensed in doses can be outputted again through the dispensing opening. The dosing device is preferably designed such that the supplying/dispensing port can be alternately connected to a storage container, such as for example an ampoule, and to a dispensing or administering unit such as, for example, an infusion set.

In an embodiment of a method for dosing a substance to be dispensed from a storage container or a reservoir, the substance is moved from the storage container or reservoir via or through a single port or opening into a dosing unit having a variable volume. The variable volume enlarges during dosing, for example, and decreases in volume during dispensing, for example. Once the variable volume has been filled, the port or opening is connected to a dispensing conduit and the variable volume containing the substance is then decreased in volume to dispense the substance in doses through the port or opening. In some embodiments, after the variable volume has been filled with the substance to be dispensed, the dosing unit may be displaced or rotated to decouple the opening of the dosing unit from the supply conduit and to connect the dosing unit to the dispensing conduit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described below on the basis of example embodiments, wherein:

FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C illustrate an example operational sequence for dosing using the dosing device;

FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of the dosing device;

FIGS. 3A-3I show an embodiment of a cyclic process for using the dosing device; and

FIGS. 4A-4I show a further embodiment of a cyclic process for using the dosing device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of a dosing device for an infusion system comprise a dosing unit comprising a variable volume. The variable volume may comprise, for example, a cylinder comprising a piston that moves in the cylinder, thereby increasing or decreasing the volume of the cylinder. The dosing device comprises a supplying/dispensing port. In some embodiments, the supplying/dispensing port may be a single port, such as a single opening. The single opening may be disposed, for example, on the cylinder, on a part of the port, or on a sleeve. In some embodiments, the single port may remain closed except during supply and dispensing operations. Through the supplying/dispensing opening, the variable volume of the dosing unit can be filled with the substance to be dispensed. The substance may be dispensed, for example, from a storage container such as for example an ampoule, when the volume of the dosing unit is increased. When the variable volume of the filled dosing unit is decreased again, the substance which is to be dispensed in doses can be outputted again through the dispensing opening. The dosing device is preferably designed such that the supplying/dispensing port can be alternately connected to a storage container, such as for example an ampoule, and to a dispensing or administering unit such as, for example, an infusion set.

It is thus possible to prevent leakage and the unintentional or uncontrolled passage of a substance from a reservoir to a dispensing unit such as an infusion set, because the dosing unit is coupled either to the reservoir only or to the administering device only. The reservoir is thus completely decoupled from the administering unit, such that the reservoir is never directly connected to the outlet. The substance can be dispensed so as to be precisely dosed by a dosing device, independently of the design and size of a reservoir or storage container. Also, if a single supplying/dispensing opening is used, the dosing unit exhibits a relatively small leakage or sealing risk.

In some embodiments, the supplying/dispensing port may comprise a plurality of openings that may be connected to an external port always and in such a way that the dosing unit is either only being filled or only being emptied through all or some of the openings. By such a configuration it is not possible to simultaneously receive and dispense a substance. The connection or access or hole of the dosing unit that acts as inlet or outlet, alternatively the plurality of connections or accesses or holes of the dosing unit that simultaneously act as an inlet or outlet, can be coupled such that they can either be coupled to a reservoir (and act as an inlet for the dosing unit) or can be coupled to an administering device, such as for example an infusion apparatus, and so act as an outlet for the dosing unit. In example embodiments, the ports of the dosing unit may be sealed when a substance is not being received or dispensed.

In some embodiments the openings may be actively sealed in a resting position between dispensing and receiving a substance. The active sealing may be accomplished, for example, by a sealing element that can be displaced.

In some embodiments the dosing unit may be displaced or rotated to be connected to one of two or more external ports to fill the dosing unit or to dispense and relay the substance dispensed from the dosing unit, depending on the displaced position or rotational position. One or more of the external ports also may be disposed on the dosing unit in such a way that the external ports can be displaced or rotated. In example embodiments, the ports that can be displaced may be alternately connected to the supplying/dispensing opening of the dosing unit, for example. A valve effect can thus be obtained by a kind of switching valve.

Some embodiments of the dosing device may comprise a motor configured to move, or for example, to rotate or displace the dosing unit or the supplying/dispensing port of the dosing unit. The motor can alternatively or additionally be used to move (for example, to displace or rotate) the external supplying/dispensing ports so as to alternately connect the supplying/dispensing ports to the supplying/dispensing opening of the dosing unit. The motor or an additional motor can be used to move the piston to shrink or enlarge the variable volume. The piston of the cylinder is preferably designed to be moveable precisely to a predetermined position within the cylinder. For example, the piston may be moveable exactly to a predefined maximum drawn-out position of the piston still situated within the cylinder. Thereby, unlike in known, so-called “single-stroke” methods, in the present embodiments it is possible to use only some of the variable volume for dosing.

In some embodiments the connecting points or connecting conduits that lead to the supplying/dispensing port of the dosing unit comprise at least one valve each. Alternatively, only a single valve may be provided, for example, in the supply conduit, in the dispensing conduit, or in the supplying/dispensing port. Such a valve in one or both of the conduits, for example as a reflux valve, can ensure that a substance to be dispensed in doses is conveyed in only one direction. Thereby, backflow of the substance in the opposite direction is inhibited or prevented.

In example embodiments, the valve or valves used on or in the supply conduits, the drainage conduits, the dosing unit, or any combination thereof, can be reflux valves that enable the flow of a substance or fluid in only one direction. Alternatively, the valves can be designed as pressure-relief valves that enable the passage of a material or fluid only when a minimum pressure is applied.

The storage container that contains the substance to be dispensed can be pressurized or non-pressurized. In example embodiments, the storage container may be an ampoule, for example. The ampoule may comprise a pressurized stopper that acts on the substance to be dispensed, such that the substance to be dispensed may be dosed without requiring additional energy to dispense the substance from the ampoule, to dose the dosing unit, to refill the dosing unit, or any of these. In some embodiments, the stopper may be pressurized by means such as, for example, a spring or a pressurized gas. Alternatively, the storage container may comprise an elastic region or may be formed entirely of an elastic material. In example embodiments, the storage container may be configured as a pouch filled with the substance to be dispensed. To displace and dispense the substance contained in the storage container, in example embodiments a force or pressure can act on the elastic region or pouch by means of a spring. The spring may be enabled by the dosing device downstream of the storage container.

In some embodiments, the storage container or reservoir may be configured such that a positive pressure may be applied at an outlet or dispensing opening of the reservoir. In example embodiments, the positive pressure at an outlet or opening may be achieved by containers or pouches that are pressurized or charged with a force. Alternatively, the positive pressure may be achieved by an active drive mechanism that acts on a displacement element of the reservoir or on the reservoir itself.

In some embodiments, the dosing device may comprise at least one sensor for checking the functional capability or determining a malfunction. Examples of such sensors include, but are not limited to, a leakage sensor, a galvanic or conductance sensor, a bubble sensor, a pressure sensor, or a force sensor. Such sensors are operative to determine, for example, whether a substance or fluid has escaped from the dosing device, whether the substance to be dispensed contains bubbles, or whether an occlusion is present. In further embodiments, said at least one sensor may be connected to a warning or alarm indicator or to a controller of the dosing device. The indicator or controller may be configured to switch off the dosing device when a malfunction is determined. Alternatively, the indicator or controller may be configured to output an alarm signal when a fault in the dosing device is determined. Example alarm signals include, for example, an optical or acoustic alarm signal.

In some embodiments, the dosing device, the connecting conduits (for example, the supply conduit or the dispensing conduit), or both, may comprise a material that is permeable to gas or air. If air or a gas is present in the substance to be dispensed, then a gas-permeable or air-permeable supplying tube that connects the dosing device to the storage container upstream of dosing can enable the gas in the substance to escape when the substance is guided through said conduit. Thereby, no gas pockets will be present in the substance in the dosing unit.

In some embodiments, a seal such as, for example, a sealing collar, may be disposed on the dosing device to seal off the supplying/dispensing port of the dosing unit when the port is not connected to a supply conduit or a dispensing conduit. The port is not connected to a conduit, for example, when the port is rotated together with the dosing unit from the connection to the supply conduit to the connection to the dispensing conduit.

FIGS. 1A-1C show a non-limiting, example embodiment of a dosing device 1. The dosing device 1 comprises a dosing unit 2, shown in the example embodiment to be configured as a cylinder, comprising a supplying/dispensing port (configured as a single opening 2 a) disposed on one side of the dosing unit 2. In an initial configuration shown in FIG. 1A, before the dosing unit 2 is filled, the single opening 2 a is connected to a supply conduit 4, which is connected to a reservoir (not shown), for example a pressurized reservoir, which contains a substance to be dispensed in doses, such as for example insulin. In the example embodiment, a movable piston 3 is arranged in the dosing unit 2.

FIG. 1B shows the state of the embodiment of the dosing device 1 from FIG. 1A, after the dosing unit 2 has been dosed. The dosing unit 2 may be dosed, for example, by retracting the piston 3 within the dosing unit 2 to introduce a substance through the supply conduit 4, into the variable volume 6 of the dosing unit 2. Once the filling process has been completed, the dosing unit 2 in FIG. 1B has already been rotated slightly about its longitudinal axis, as indicated by the arrow, such that the single opening 2 a of the dosing unit 2 is no longer connected to the supply conduit 4 or is no longer in fluid communication with the supply conduit 4. In the state shown in FIG. 1B, the single opening 2 a has been displaced or rotated toward a dispensing conduit 5, and the single opening 2 a is sealed by means of a seal 7 that abuts the dosing unit 2.

If the dosing unit 2 is rotated until the single opening 2 a abuts the dispensing conduit 5, as shown in FIG. 1C, the substance contained in the variable volume 6 can be dispensed to the dispensing conduit 5 through the single opening 2 a by sliding the piston 3 into the dosing unit 2. The dispensing conduit 5 may be connected to an infusion set (not shown) or needle (not shown). In example embodiments, after the substance contained in the variable volume 6 of the dosing unit 2 has been partially or completely dispensed, the dosing unit 2 may be rotated with the piston 3 completely slid into the dosing unit 2. After such a rotation, the single opening 2 a again abuts the supply conduit 4, as indicated in FIG. 1A by the state (4), so that the cycle shown in FIG. 1 may be repeated.

FIG. 2 shows an example embodiment of a dosing device 1, wherein the dosing device 1 comprises a dosing unit 2. As shown in the example embodiment, the dosing unit 2 may be rotatable. The dosing unit 2 may comprise, for example, a plastic or an elastic material. The dosing unit 2 is disposed between supply conduit 4 and dispensing conduit 5. Supply conduit 4 and dispensing conduit 5 may comprise, for example, an elastic material. Additionally, the dosing unit 2 may be disposed within a sealing sleeve (not shown), for example, and the sealing sleeve may comprise, for example, two openings. When the single opening 2 a, which may be disposed on a lateral surface or on the cylinder casing, is connected to the supply conduit 4, the variable volume 6 within the dosing unit 2 can be loaded with a substance by retracting the piston 3 to draw the substance through the supply conduit 4. In some embodiments, the single opening 2 a can be a simple hole in the dosing unit 2 that is sealed by the elastic property of the material (such as plastic, for example) of the dosing unit 2. In such a case, the substance can pass through the single opening 2 a only when a pressure or suction acts on the substance, such as for example when the piston 3 is drawn out of the dosing unit 2 or when the piston 3 is slid into the dosing unit 2.

In some embodiments, the dosing variable volume of the dosing unit may be incrementally varied, for example in steps or increments. In example embodiments, wherein the dosing unit comprises a single supplying/dispensing port, the single supplying/dispensing port may be disposed asymmetrically. In example embodiments, wherein two or more supplying/dispensing ports are present that can be alternately closed or opened, for example, the supplying/dispensing ports also can be arranged asymmetrically. Each supplying/dispensing port also can be disposed as a simple opening in the dosing unit, such as for example a cylinder. As used herein, the terms “asymmetrical port” and “asymmetrical opening” refer to an opening in the dosing unit or, for example, a cylinder, either of which changes its position about an axis of symmetry when the dosing unit is moved, displaced, or rotated. In example embodiments, an asymmetrical opening can be disposed on the end-facing side of a cylinder, for example, provided it does not lie in the center of the end-facing side but, rather, is offset from the center of the end-facing side. In further example embodiments, the asymmetrical opening can be disposed laterally on the dosing unit or in the cylinder casing.

Once the dosing unit 2 has been dosed through the passage of the substance through the single opening 2 a into the dosing unit 2 via the supply conduit 4, the dosing unit 2 is rotated such that the single opening 2 a of the dosing unit 2 is connected to the dispensing conduit 5. In the example embodiment, the dosing unit 2 is rotated by 180° about its longitudinal axis. In this state, the piston 3 can be slid back into the dosing unit 2, so as to displace the substance contained in the dosing unit 2. The substance so displaced is dispensed through the open (and self-closing) single opening 2 a of the dosing unit 2 to the dispensing conduit 5, which is connected to an infusion set (not shown). The dosing unit 2 then can be rotated back or rotated further until the single opening 2 a of the dosing unit 2 is returned to fluid connection with the supply conduit 4 and is thereby readied to receive another dose of the substance through the supply conduit 4.

FIGS. 3A-3H show an example of a cyclic operational sequence for dosing a substance by means of an embodiment of the dosing device 1. In general, the dosing device 1 is operable in one of three states. FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C illustrate a first state, in which a substance may be supplied from, for example, a supply conduit 4 to the variable volume 6 through a single opening 2 a. FIGS. 3D and 3H illustrate a second state, in which passage of the substance through the single opening 2 a is prevented. FIGS. 3E, 3F, and 3G illustrate a third state, in which the substance may be dispensed from the variable volume 6 through the single opening, for example, to a dispensing conduit 5 connected to a dispensing unit (not shown) of an infusion system (not shown). The dosing unit may be rotated, displaced, or both, to select the first state, the second state, or the third state at any given time. Starting from an initial position in FIG. 3A, the dosing unit 2 is empty and the piston 3 is completely or almost completely retracted into the dosing unit 2 toward a supplying/dispensing port (configured as a single opening 2 a) on the end-facing side of the dosing unit 2. The dosing unit 2 is filled gradually through the supply conduit 4, which is designed to be permeable to air. As shown in FIG. 3B, the piston 3 is moved within the dosing unit 2 in the direction shown by the arrow, thereby enlarging the variable volume 6. The enlargement of the variable volume 6 results in a negative pressure in the dosing unit 2. The negative pressure causes the substance to be supplied from a reservoir (not shown) and be drawn through the supply conduit 4 or introduced into the dosing unit 2. The dosing unit 2 or the single opening 2 a is positioned or rotated to lie as close as possible to the front of the opening of the supply conduit 4, such that a fluid connection is created from the supply conduit 4 to the variable volume 6 through the single opening 2 a.

In the embodiment shown, sealing elements 7, 8 may be disposed between the supply conduit 4 and dispensing conduit 5 and the dosing unit 2 on the front side, the connecting side, the contact side, or any combination of these. The sealing elements 7, 8 may be arranged around the openings of the supply conduit 4 and the dispensing conduit 5 to prevent escape of the substance or fluid flowing in the supply conduit 4 or in the dispensing conduit 5. In some embodiments, the sealing elements 7, 8 may comprise, for example, disc-shaped or annular elements, as shown in FIG. 3I, and the elements may comprise, for example, an elastic material. In examples of such embodiments, the dosing unit 2 or an end-facing side of the dosing unit 2 is able to slide easily over the sealing elements 7, 8.

As can be seen from FIG. 3C, the dosing unit 2 is completely filled when the piston 3 has been drawn out up to a maximum position. In the shown example embodiment, wherein the dosing unit is configured as a cylinder comprising a piston, this maximum volume of the variable volume 6 of the dosing unit is referred to as V_(cylinder, max). When the dosing unit is configured as a cylinder comprising a piston, the maximum volume of the variable volume (V_(cylinder, max)) may be defined as the volume of the cylinder when the piston is drawn out as far as desirable for the particular dosing application, for example, completely drawn out or almost completely drawn out. In some embodiments, the dosing device may be configured such that V_(cylinder, max) is smaller than 0.1 times the volume of the storage container or a reservoir (V_(reservoir)) in which the substance to be dispensed is contained. In some embodiments, the maximum volume V_(cylinder, max) may be substantially larger than the volume of a minimum dose to be dispensed (V_(dose, min)). For example, V_(cylinder, max) may be twice V_(dose, min) or even, for example, ten times V_(dose, min). In some embodiments, the maximum volume of the dosing unit V_(cylinder, max) may be equal to the minimum volume of the dose to be dispensed V_(dose, min) multiplied by the square root of the ratio of the volume of the reservoir V_(reservoir) to the minimum volume of the minimum dose to be dispensed V_(dose, min), according to the following equation: V _(cylinder, max) =V _(dose, min)×√{square root over ((V _(reservoir) /V _(dose,min)))}.

Thus, in some embodiments the dosing device may be configured such that: x×V _(dose, min) <V _(cylinder, max) <y×V _(reservoir), where 2<x<10 and 0.1<y<0.5.

In some embodiments, the ratio of the inner diameter of a cylindrical dosing unit to the length of the cylinder may be equal to or about 1:4.

In the continuation of the process, referring now to FIG. 3D, the dosing unit 2 then is rotated about its longitudinal axis to switch from the process of filling the dosing unit 2 to the process of dispensing from the dosing unit 2. In this stage, the dosing unit 2 is rotated until the single opening 2 a is in front of the dispensing conduit 5, as shown in FIG. 3E, such that a fluid connection is established between the variable volume 6 of the dosing unit 2 and the dispensing conduit 5 through the single opening 2 a.

When the piston 3 is now retracted back into the dosing unit 2, as shown in FIG. 3F, the substance contained in the variable volume 6 is dispensed, for example to an infusion set, through the single opening 2 a and the dispensing conduit 5. The piston 3 can be retracted until the dosing unit 2 is completely emptied or, as shown in FIG. 3G, almost completely emptied. Thereby, the piston 3 is maximally retracted into the dosing unit 2 on reaching a front end or a dispensing end of the dosing unit 2.

The dosing unit then can be switched again, as shown in FIG. 3H, to refill the variable volume 6 after a dispensing process has been completed. To switch the dosing device, the dosing unit 2 is rotated again, such that the single opening 2 a again lies in front of the supply conduit 4, as shown in FIG. 3A.

In some embodiments, the rotations of the dosing unit 2 shown in FIGS. 3D and 3H, may be made always in the same direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder, such as, for example, always clockwise or always counterclockwise. Alternatively, it is also possible for the dosing unit 2 to be rotated in a first direction to switch from the filling process to the dispensing process (such as, for example, to the left as shown in FIG. 3D) and to be rotated in the opposite direction to switch from the dispensing process to the filling process (such as, for example, to the right as shown in FIG. 3H). This is particularly advantageous when a back-and-forth movement of the piston 3 is realized using a single motor and the motor is also used to move the dosing unit 2 back and forth or to rotate the dosing unit 2.

FIG. 3I shows a perspective view of an example embodiment of sealing element 7, 8 with the passage (sealing element opening 7 a and/or 8 a) arranged in it, to which the supply conduit 4 is connected (in the states in accordance with FIGS. 3A to 3C), to which the dispensing conduit 5 is connected (in the states in accordance with FIGS. 3E to 3G), or both.

FIGS. 4A-4H show an embodiment of an operational sequence similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3. A dosing unit 2 comprises two supplying/dispensing ports for filling and dispensing, configured as a supply opening 4 a and a dispensing opening 5 a. The supply opening 4 a and the dispensing opening 5 a are disposed on one side of the dosing unit 2. The supply opening 4 a and the dispensing opening 5 a can be arranged in many configurations such as, for example, opposite each other in relation to the center of the dosing unit 2. A sealing element 7, continuously through which a sealing element opening 7 a is provided, is disposed in front of the supply opening 4 a and the dispensing opening 5 a of the dosing unit 2. As shown in the figures, the dosing unit 2 is operable in one of three states. In a first state, depicted in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C, the supply opening 4 a is open and the dispensing opening 5 a is closed. In a second state, depicted in FIGS. 4D and 4H, both the supply opening 4 a and the dispensing opening 5 a are closed. In a third state, depicted in FIGS. 4E, 4F, and 4G, the dispensing opening 5 a is open and the supply opening 4 a is closed. The dosing unit 1 may be rotated, displaced, or both, to select the first state, the second state, or the third state at any given time.

An example embodiment of a sealing element 7 is shown in FIG. 4I. The sealing element 7 can be rotated or moved relative to the dosing unit 2, the supply conduit 4, and the dispensing conduit 5. The dosing unit 2, the supply conduit 4 and the dispensing conduit 5 are preferably in a defined or fixed positional relationship. In the various positions of rotation of the sealing element 7 with the sealing element opening 7 a disposed therein, supply opening 4 a and dispensing opening 5 a may at any given time be both sealed (as in the switching processes shown in FIGS. 4D and 4H), or be alternately opened (as in the filling process of FIGS. 4A-4C and the dispensing process of FIGS. 4E-4G).

During the filling process as shown in the sequence of FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C, the sealing element opening 7 a of the sealing element 7 is disposed in a position at which a fluid connection can be established between the supply conduit 4 and the variable volume 6. To switch between the filling process and the dispensing process, the sealing element 7 may be rotated about its center axis, as shown in FIG. 4D, until the sealing element opening 7 a of the sealing element 7 is arranged as shown in FIG. 4E. Namely, the sealing element opening 7 a of the sealing element 7 is arranged so that, for example, the supply opening 4 a of the dosing unit 2 is sealed and so that the dispensing opening 5 a of the dosing unit is in fluid connection to the dispensing conduit 5. Thereupon, the dispensing process may be performed as shown in the progression from FIG. 4E to FIG. 4F to FIG. 4G.

It is then possible to switch from the dispensing process back to the filling process, as shown in FIG. 4H, wherein the sealing element 7 is rotated so that the sealing element opening 7 a of the sealing element 7 is in the position shown in FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4I shows a perspective view of the sealing element 7, comprising a sealing element opening 7 a that is offset in the radial direction from the center point of the sealing element 7, where the center axis 11 of the sealing element intersects the surface of the sealing element 7 (depicted as an x). 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A dosing device for an infusion system comprising a dosing unit configured as a cylinder, the dosing unit comprising: a variable volume, wherein the variable volume may be incrementally varied; a supply opening operable to be open or closed, so as to enable a substance to be supplied to the variable volume through the supply opening only when the supply opening is open; and a dispensing opening operable to be open or closed, so as to enable the substance to be dispensed from the variable volume through the dispensing opening to a dispensing unit of the infusion system only when the dispensing opening is open, the dosing unit being operable only in a first state in which the supply opening is open and the dispensing opening is closed, in a second state in which the supply opening and the dispensing opening both are closed, or in a third state in which the supply opening is closed and the dispensing opening is open, wherein the dosing unit is operable to be rotated, displaced, or both, to select the first state, the second state, or the third state.
 2. The dosing device of claim 1, wherein the cylinder comprises a piston, the piston being movable in the cylinder to cause an increase or decrease in the volume of the variable volume.
 3. The dosing device of claim 1, further comprising a sensor or detector for detecting a leakage, an occlusion, a pressure, a force, or bubbles.
 4. The dosing device of claim 1, further comprising a supply conduit connected to the supply opening and a dispensing conduit connected to the dispensing opening, such that the supply conduit is in fluid connection with the variable volume only when the dosing unit is in the first state, that the dispensing conduit is in fluid connection with the variable volume only when the dosing unit is in the third state, and that the supply conduit is never in fluid connection with the dispensing conduit.
 5. The dosing device of claim 4, further comprising at least one motor configured to rotate or displace the dosing unit, to rotate or displace a sealing element, to displace the supply conduit, to displace the dispensing unit, to move or deform the dosing unit, to move or deform a piston within the dosing unit, or any combination of these.
 6. The dosing device of claim 4, wherein the dosing unit, the supply conduit, the dispensing conduit, or any combination of these comprises an air-permeable material.
 7. The dosing device of claim 4, further comprising at least one valve, the at least one valve being disposed in the dosing unit, in the supply opening, in the dispensing opening, on the supply conduit, or on the dispensing conduit.
 8. The dosing device of claim 7, wherein the at least one valve is a reflux valve.
 9. The dosing device of claim 4, further comprising a storage container in fluid connection with the supply conduit.
 10. The dosing device of claim 9, wherein the storage container is pressurized.
 11. The dosing device of claim 4, further comprising a sealing element disposed in front of the supply opening and the dispensing opening of the dosing unit.
 12. The dosing device of claim 11, wherein the sealing element provides a sealing element opening, wherein the sealing element opening is disposed at a position at which a fluid connection can be established between the supply conduit and the variable volume in the first stage, and wherein the sealing element opening is disposed in a position at which a fluid connection can be established between the dispensing conduit and the variable volume in the third stage.
 13. The dosing device of claim 12, wherein the supply opening and the dispensing opening may both be sealed or alternately opened.
 14. A dosing unit for an infusion system, wherein the dosing unit is configured as a cylinder, the dosing unit comprising: a variable volume, wherein the variable volume may be incrementally varied in at least one of steps and increments; a supply opening operable to be open or closed, so as to enable a substance to be supplied to the variable volume through the supply opening only when the supply opening is open; and a dispensing opening operable to be open or closed, so as to enable the substance to be dispensed from the variable volume through the dispensing opening to a dispensing unit of the infusion system only when the dispensing opening is open, the dosing unit being operable only in a first state in which the supply opening is open and the dispensing opening is closed, in a second state in which the supply opening and the dispensing opening both are closed, or in a third state in which the supply opening is closed and the dispensing opening is open, wherein the dosing unit is operable to be rotated, displaced, or both, to select the first state, the second state, or the third state. 